ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of the multiplicity of essential service initiatives if self and citizen advocacy are to endure and work to create services which are compatible with people's own aspirations and changing needs. On an individual, group and collective basis, self advocacy addresses the asymmetry of power between people with learning difficulties and their families and service providers. Irrespective of the knowledge that self advocacy brings decision making closer to service users and that it potentially signals an end to the priority of the wishes of families and services over those of service users, the self advocacy movement is fragile. McKenna. C investigated the opportunities for self advocacy in the lives of fifteen adults with learning difficulties who use services. The report of a recent evaluation of Sheffield Citizen Advocacy provides useful information on the achievements and experiences of one of the first citizen advocacy offices in the united kingdom.
